M/F Postdoctoral researcher in molecular biology and microbiology

id="offer-description" class="ecl-u-type-heading-2 ecl-u-mt-none ecl-u-mb-l">Offer Description To characterize the mechanisms by which small RNAs direct post-transcriptional gene silencing in a phytopathogenic bacterium. RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved gene regulatory mechanism that promotes antiviral defense by repressing translation, accumulation and replication of viral RNAs. Intriguingly, sRNAs can also be exported outside plant cells and further transferred to interacting non-viral pathogens to direct cross-kingdom RNAi. Notably, we have recently described the existence of such gene regulatory phenomenon in the context of plant-bacteria interactions. Here, the recruited post-doctoral researcher will investigate the mechanisms underlying such Antibacterial Gene Silencing (AGS) regulatory process. In particular, She or He will identify the whole set of Arabidopsis factors that are taken-up by a Pseudomonas syringae strain during infection, through a proteomic-based approach. The recruited person will further select the most represented RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) inside bacterial cells and further used genetics and biochemical approaches to characterize their possible function in AGS activity. An in-depth characterization of the mode of action of one of these RBPs will be implemented. This project will not only advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cross-kingdom RNAi in host-bacteria interactions, but also lay the groundwork for innovative biotechno